Can We Just Pick A Lane?

Well, well, well. Momma N seems to have been going through a state of confusion.

Warm and humid one day, windy the next. Followed by pleasant temps, without any wind! Oh, and just for good measure, let's drop the temps (by 30+ degrees) and threaten a late-season frost advisory!

Bless her dear erratic heart, at least she didn't throw any snow in my direction. 

Before I share all the details, welcome to the Weekly Run Down!

I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 1:00 (EST) on Sundays and remains open through noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blogs as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)

Anyways, here's what went down in my little world of fitness this week:

Never miss a Monday, and let's make it a double!

Nice temps and a bright sunrise had me heading out for a pre-workday 5K. After work, Gustavas and I spent 10 miles together. After the previous eight days of rain, the sunshine and dry road conditions were most welcome.

 

Typical easy-peasy Tuesday.

No running on the schedule, but a 2-mile walk is definitely allowed. After work, I managed a windy 8-mile ride while the mani dried, but had to head home (a few miles early) when the sprinkles started falling. Of course, the rain stopped shortly after I got back home.

  

A double-double win-win Wednesday.

With one final 1-mile time trial on deck, Wednesday morning was the most optimal time to get it done (besides, the weekly #5at5 was being substituted for something different...see below). I was both looking forward to this last 1-miler (because I was ready to be done LOL), but dreading it as well (Ugh, SO much self-imposed pressure to to beat the previous PR of 7:13). Well, the weather could not have been more perfect (low humidity and pleasant temps) and my legs just did their thing on the wet track (overnight rain). Gotta say, this 1-miler felt the "easiest" of all of them...though I missed the PR by one second. Oh well, that was an easy thing to shrug off because the 7:14 finish still was my second fastest 1-mile, ever, and I truly was glad to have this final time trial done. Onward!

Then, Wednesday evening, there was the first-ever Full Moon Run! I put out an invite, on our local running/fitness page, and several runners showed up at 9:00PM. We ran a simple 5-mile out-and-back route, and witnessed the most beautiful orange-hued full moon rising as we made our way back to town. The temps were a comfortable 70F, the humidity was only at 49%, and the wind was a no-show. Total perfection! Eight total miles for the day (1-mile warm-up and 1-mile time trial, then the 5-mile moon run, and 1/2-mile commute to the meet-up and back).

Recovery Day Thursday.

After Wednesday's speedy 1-miler and late-night run, my lower-body had earned a day off...but upper-body strength work was ON. Don't be fooled by the tank top and shorts...the wind and rain arrived almost immediately afterwards for my 1-mile walk before I headed to the office. The temps continued to drop throughout the day, and the rain continued to fall intermittently. I was able to get in another walk after work, but the wind was so crazy cold that I called it good after only one mile. 

Friday fitness...mostly indoors.

As mentioned, the temps got cold...we're talking record-setting cold temps for this day in history. There also was rain coming down, so I white-flagged any outdoor morning activity and hit the indoor bike. The bike was giving me fits and attitude, though...every time I adjusted the resistance, the mileage reset. So, I think I did approximately five miles of intervals (but the world will never know for certain LOL). The rain had tapered off by afternoon, so the hubby and Max and I took a quick 1-mile walk before dinner...but the temps were still winter-like.

A somber, but sunny, long run Saturday.

Early Friday afternoon, the verdict was read for the murder trial of Mollie Tibbetts. For those who are unaware, Mollie was a 20-year old runner (who lived 20 miles from us) who went for a run and never came back (July 2018). While I did not personally know her, our younger daughter did. After nearly three years, her assailant was found GUILTY of 1st degree murder. My 8-miler, on Saturday, was for Mollie. The temps were cold (42F, with a 37F feels-like), the wind was strong, but the sun was shining bright. This run felt tough, but it wasn't about me.  I hope Mollie can rest easy, now that justice has been served, and I sincerely hope that her friends, family, and community can find some semblance of closure from this horrific tragedy.

 

An action-packed Sunny Sunday.

I awoke (before my alarm, LOL) to a beautiful sunny morning. With our first long bike ride of the season on the the day's roster, why not go for a short run? I'm not one to pass up a sunrise, after all. Just a couple easy-paced miles, and some sunrise mojo, made for a perfect start to the day. (I'll be on the road, literally, until late afternoon, so I won't have a chance to read/comment on the linked blogs until later...thanks for your patience!).

 

So, despite the crazy roller coaster-like weather, I'm happy with how everything played out. The running miles were strong (21), and the walking miles, again, were a bit meh (10). No specific lower-body strength work, but a good upper-body workout. Plenty of stair-work (50 flights, as part of my pre-running warm-up). And biking! As this post goes live, there's 23 miles in the biking bank, but there's an additional 44 (approximately) on tap for Sunday's ride. 

In case you missed out, here's what went down on the blog this week:

Rockin' the Rain Dance

Long Run, here I come!

5 Mayfessions for Friday

In other news:

Friday Fashion Flair! Even with the colder-than-cold temps, I was determined to still dress like it was Spring (says the gal who wore her winter jacket to work LOL). After all, bright colors certainly can brighten one's day. Too bad my toes were freezing cold all day long. 

This week's flower feature is all about the peonies (and those Siberian Iris that were on the verge of blooming a week ago). I have several varieties of peonies; some are done blooming, some are just budding, and some are showcasing all their glorious beauty. Sigh...

And, lest we forget, Memorial Day is on Monday. This day is not about thanking the (living) vets or those currently in uniform, but about honoring those who gave their lives for the freedoms we get to enjoy daily. If you're looking for ideas on how to pay tribute, via your running shoes, here are a few suggestions from a previous post, Fitness Options for Honoring Memorial Day (HERE).

How did your week play out? Did your temps take a serious nosedive as well? Any fun running conquests or achievements to share? Any plans for honoring Memorial Day?

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